Invasive weeds

Under the Weed Act 1959 enforcement action may be taken on the occupier of land on which injurious weeds are growing, requiring the occupier to take action to prevent the spread of injurious weeds. The Weed Act specifies five injurious weeds:

Common Ragwort

Spear Thistle

Creeping of Field Thistle

Broad Leaved Dock

Curled Dock.

The Weed Act was amended by the Ragwort Control Act of 2004. Both Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed are dealt with under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.The Borough of Poole seeks to comply with the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs Code of Practice on how to prevent the spread of Ragwort. It also has an ongoing programme of Japanese Knotweed control on its land.